“Red Bean Buns Already?”

“The red bean bun has returned.” On Tuesday, at the Myeong-dong branch of convenient store Ministop, Koreans’ winter snack of choice, the red bean bun (or “hobbang”), made its reappearance. Convenient store chains are stocking red bean buns roughly half a month sooner than they did last year, getting a jump on preparations for the cold season.

Young-Dae Park sannae@donga.com